jon lane... indian assignment 4c

The assignment for Indian Education for All was filled with very powerful subject matter. I feel as though it was a great assignment because it helped we students who are not familiar with Native American culture to get a better understanding. This assignment helped open up our eyes to a new culture that first started our world.This is also useful because it helps eliminate the stereotypes that are often placed upon the Native American culture.
The few things that i found interesting were the never ending list of food and games that the Native American culture created. These games and food are stilling played and eaten today in 2008. the other item i found interesting was the school that was created to "help" the native children adapt to the Euro-Americans ways of life. I found it interesting because in reality the school that was created was pretty much to brain wash and force change upon a culture because the Euro-American wanted things to be "normal" in how they saw the world.
If i had to teach my students about the Native American culture, i would use hands on activities, such as: field trips through Montana, bring in food that we eat today that was created by the Native American culture, and games that we play today that the Native culture created. i would also bring guest speakers to speak about the Native culture so that my students would would get to see a true Native American with their eyes and not believe the stereotypical native that is portrayed in movies a long time ago.

J.R. Pierce, Indian Education For All, Assingment 4c

Education For All, Assignment 4C

Learning about different cultures and ethnicity's is one of the greatest things that can be achieved in the United States. The education about American Indians is a great idea that recent teachers came up with. One thing I found very interesting is that the Indian Education system is very family orientated. This provides a very close unit in these schools that can help excel the education systems within the reservations. Also, what was really interesting is that there are Indian ethnicity's that are still looking for recognition from the U.S. Government and public. It is really good thing that minority groups are being recognized in such away that only the United States can achieve.

Brad Mc. Assignment #4c

It is great that people are learning more about Native Americans though the Education of All program. It give a chance to learn about the first people that were in America. There is a lot of education on the ways of Euro-Americans and there side of the story. But now people are learning first hand about the history from Native Americans. Learning more than the stereo-types that people have learned from friends and family. Learning about Native Americans cultures, and ideas about life and family. To read about the way that Native Americans were put into a "white man's society" Reading about the school system of how Native Americans were told not to speak their native tongue. Native Americans face a lot of problems still in today's world, just like many year ago.

Marissa S. Assignment #4c

The unit we did on Indian Education for All was very interesting. I learned a number of new things. Specifically, different ideas for alternate teaching styles that will help us as teachers in the classroom. It is important to understand different culture. Not forcing students to answer questions or singling anyone out, even if it is for good reasons. It is important to understand their family and cultural up bringing. I was also reminded of the importance of finding significance in you teaching so students can connect what you are saying to their life, do not just focus on the “Euro-American” side of things.
In my classroom there are many ways to incorporate Indian Education for All. I am focusing on secondary Art and History. As an art teacher I could spend time teaching Art History and allowing students to take styles and techniques discussed and create their own works. As a history teacher I think it would be most important to make sure I tell the whole story and spent extra time telling their histories.

Brielle C. Assignment #4c.

I find Indian Education for All to be a very useful and needed part of education. The children of Montana are very unaware of the history of Native Americans, which leads to discrimination and misunderstandings. Growing up on a reservaton, I have seen firsthand, the effects of lack of Indian Ed. It contributes so much to the community when everyone of all ages is able to understand others.
In my classroom, I would have each student pick a tribe that they find interesting, research that tribe, and complete various activities that I would provide for them. They could pick out of many activities such as a slide show, Power Point presentation, drawing/painting, or any other means of protraying their specific tribe. I think it would be fun to make the assignment into a multi-genre activity, where the student could pick different ways to portray the tribe as long as it is approved by the teacher. I feel that this gives the students more freedom in how they present to the rest of the class.

Stephanie O. Indian Education For All

I have lived in Montana almost my entire life, and it seems that no matter where I live in this great state there is a reservation near by. I know that if I plan on teaching in the same state that I have lived in most of my life, I will encounter Native American students in my classroom. During class last week it was pointed out that Native American students learn extremely different then a lot of the students we will have in our classrooms. Also, as a teacher, I need to practice not stereo typing Native American students.
A few of the differences that my fellow classmates pointed out that really shocked me was: when Native American students don't look you in the eye, they are showing you respect by not looking you in the eye; also, most native American students learn best by getting up and moving around.
A couple of activities that I am interested in using for my students when I am trying to teach my students are: Playing jeopardy by splitting the students into groups of like 3 or 4 (depends on number of students) and have them take turns answering the questions (always switching the groups can help keep students interacting with all the students in class); also, when trying to teach my students how to do word problems, teach them to use a computer to highlight the important parts of the problem so that they can learn what parts of the problem they need to answer the question (this can help all types of students with different learning styles).

Indian Education: Shannon D. Assignment #4c.

Indian education has become an important part of the curriculum in schools today. Whereas, in previous years Indian education took a rain check compared to the history of Euro-Americans. Being that there are a number of Indian Reservations in the state of Montana the integration of Indian education is important to today’s youth. There are many different areas that Indian Education can be incorporated into the classroom. For example, several Indian cultures used sign language to communicate with other tribes that did not speak the same language. For an elementary classroom, students could create their own form of sign language and work on developing an efficient way of communicating with one another without speaking. Also Indian Education can be used in art curriculum. Some Indian cultures used hieroglyphics to tell a story or leave messages to others that would soon be following them. Each students could create their own hieroglyphics to tell a story that is important to them or even depict a dream the recently had.
In class we have been discussing Indian educations and exploring ways to integrate Indian education and technology. Each group did many different projects that incorporated Indian education and the use technology to create a lesson to share with the rest of class. There were a lot of information shared by each group and a lot to learn from each presentation. I learned that each reservation in Montana has its own source of economy such as, a marker company and casinos. I did not previously know this information. My group did our project on Indian sign language; I did not realize that despite having very different languages the tribes had a way of communicating. Even as a college student , I have not been introduced to as much Indian education that I would have liked to have been. Therefore, I believe that it is very important to make Indian education an important part of curriculum.

Marlee W. #4c

Wednesday’s class was very informative about Indian Education for all. I was reminded of several things such as cultural differences and the bias towards Indians through a Euro-American education. This class helped to reiterate how important it is to keep in mind that my Indian students may react and act differently because of their culture. I will also need to examine the textbooks I give to my students so that I can be sure to teach around any biases.
I would like to incorporate several activities to encourage my student to understand different cultures and other students in their class. I think it would be very interesting for my students to break off into small groups and research a particular tribe’s customs such as stories of their history, their musical culture, and how they have been affected by westward expansion. As a lighter assignment I would have students do what I did in my group, which is to read a variety of books and examine the different points of view that the characters take and why they feels the way they do.

Courtney S. Assignment #4c.

Indian Education for all is an important aspect to have in the classroom because the students should learn about different cultures. One thing I learned about Indian Education for all was teachers have to be aware of the bias that comes from teaching the Euro-American way. Students are reading books that are not accurate so it is important for the teacher to find ways to show the students the truth. Another thing I learned was if children are not taught the accurate information about Native Americans they will not know what to believe about Indians and just believe what they read.
I would have a Native American guest speaker come to the classroom so the children can learn about the culture and traditions. Also I would incorporate games that would help the students to learn about Native Americans. The students could also do a project on Native Americans so they can find information about them and do their own research this way they might find something that they did not know.

Jessica W. Assignment #4c

I think Wednesday's class was very interesting. One thing that I was really suprised to learn was that some tribes consider it a sign of repect to look away and not to make direct eye contact with a person who is talking to them. It is exactly the opposite in our society so it is very important to be aware of, especially when we live in a place so highly populated with Native Americans. Another thing I learned on Wednesday was the was about pow wows. I had no idea how strict the judging is or that they were so competitive. I think it is very impressive that they each make such ellaborate costumes.

An activity I think would be fun to do with my students is to have them break up into tribes to research all about them, then do presentations for the class. I am going to be an elementary teacher and I think younger children would have a lot of fun learning about their tribe and sharing with the class. Another thing that would be pretty fun to do is to have a day devoted to Native Americans. The children could listen to the tribal music, eat Indian tacos, etc. This would be a really fun way for the students to learn about Native American culture and traditions

Keely T #4c

Indian Education for All should be a very important aspect of classrooms. I believe that it is important that teachers see the differences in learning styles and the biases of text books. I was not aware of the different style of body language used by Native American students. I also enjoyed seeing the representation of sign language and how it could be used in the classroom. I did not know that the Powwow dancing was judged and learning some of the ways that they earned and lost points.

As I am majoring in elementary education I will need to incorporate the Indian Education for All through using correct stories in children's books during their education of Christopher Columbus's travel to America. I would also enjoy incorporating different games and Indian cultural ideas into the students learning. It is also important for me to remember the differences learning styles and body language that will allow my Native American students to feel more welcome and at home in the classroom.

Kyle N. #5

Indian Education for All is definetly a good program for students. I learned first off, that people's perceptions of Native Americans is today's world can be distorted by an array of mixed messages. For example, children's books rarely show the reality and harshness that the Natives suffered during their relocation period. They seem to show romanticized versions of what really happened, and this can be detrimental to a child's understanding of Native Americans. A good way for me as a teacher to combat this, would be to have my students read real accounts from a book or two that shows the truth of what really went on. Another thing I learned, was the way that these Native kids are raised can make it difficult to teach in a normal classroom setting. One example shown during class was, that certain students don't like it when they are looked directly in the eye. An excellent way to teach this to students, would be to have them do some of their own research to figure out the different clan systems within the tribes themselves. Maybe by doing this, people from different backgrounds than the Natives would have a better understanding of their cultures and ways of life.

Heidi F assignment #4c

This assignment brought many things involving Indian Education For All to my attention.  One thing was the bias that comes from teaching from a Euro-American perspective and the importance of being skeptical when finding the "truth".  Another thing I learned about were a few of the social differences that exist within "white"and 'Indian" students, such as the different meanings in eye contact and being singled out.

I want to incorporate Indian Education into my classroom by getting the community involved through events and appearances.  I believe getting information from the source is much more effective than reading it out of a book.  I also want to give my class the responsibility of choosing specific topics that they want to learn more about.  First, I want to find out what they know, then we can get right into what they want to know.  By doing this we won't waste time and they will be able to dive head first into the knowledge that they want.

from Luke Oines

I learned that Indian Education has a long and complicated history. Although there may have been some good intentions for assimilation, reduction of prejudice, and equal opportunity, the results were less than glorious. One of the most poignant comments I read expressed the fact that while students may have done well in the "white man's world," they had become useless hunters and woodsmen.
This expresses the irony of cultural colonialism: to make a "good Indian" is to recreate a person who is a second-class citizen in both worlds. Relating to pedagogy, this brings me to a personal question of value: How can I teach students to be successful in both their home culture and a collegiate/scholarly culture. School always = a sort of change. As educators we need to evaluate what sort of transformations we want to see in our students.